Major Matina Jewell

(Retired) CSP

Life-changing perspective from the front line of leadership, resilience and change.

Major Matina Jewell

(Retired) CSP

Life-changing perspective from the front line of leadership, resilience and change.

Bio

Major Matina Jewell (Retired) CSP is an inspirational trailblazer, helping leaders build resilient teams to thrive through change.

Named in the ‘AFR 100 Women of Influence 2018’, Matina is also a Telstra Business Awards Finalist and was named a CPA Australia ‘Top-10 Smart Thinker’.

Among her honorary roles, Matina is a founding ambassador for Project Thankful, a movement partnered with the United Nations to help empower women and children globally.

A bark portrait painting of Matina was entered for the 2019 Archibald Prize, and her incredible life story has been optioned for a global feature film.

Military Trailblazer & Peacekeeper

Major Matina Jewell (Retired) CSP grew up in the hinterland of Byron Bay and joined the Army at age 17. During her 15-year military career, Matina:

Served on five missions and earned eight war medals
Became the only Australian to receive two Republic of Lebanon war medals for acts of bravery on the battlefield and wounded in combat
Was appointed Officer in Command of the Army Department and Diving Officer for HMAS Kanimbla, then Australia’s largest Navy ship, at only 23 years old
Was the first woman in the Australian Army to complete the physically demanding "Navy Ship's Diver" course
Worked with the elite SAS and American Navy SEALS
Tracked down militia leaders in the Solomon Islands
Fast-roped from helicopters
Boarded smuggler ships in the Arabian Gulf
Trained in three languages (Bahasa Indonesian, Arabic and English)
Gained her Masters in Project Management
Served as a Peacekeeper with the United Nations in Syria and Lebanon

Advisor & Ambassador

Since being medically retired, Matina has campaigned for change for veterans and others in need through numerous honorary, ambassador and advisory roles, including:

Prime Ministerial Advisory Council
National Mental Health Forum
ANZAC Centenary Commission, alongside former Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Malcolm Fraser
National Suicide Prevention Commission
Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project as Ambassador
Project Thankful as Ambassador

Change Champion

2019 – Archibald Prize Bark Portrait Entrant
2018 – AFR 100 Women of Influence
2017 – Awarded Certified Speaking Professional (International)
2016 – Telstra Women's Business Awards Finalist
2015 – A CPA Australia 'Top-10 Smart Thinker'
Her story featured in a high rating, two-part ABC Australian Story and was syndicated globally with FOXTEL's I Survived
Her memoir, Caught in the Crossfire (Allen & Unwin) a best-seller
Her incredible life story has been optioned for a global feature film

Matina is a proud mum to busy young girls with husband Clent Jewell, and lives on the Far North Coast of NSW.

Australian War Memorial

Matina's In-Their-Words contribution, now part of a permanent exhibition at the Australian War Memorial (4.24s)

ABC Australian Story Documentary

The Blue Beret – Parts I & II
(52:30s)

Foxtel Documentary

Foxtel ‘I Survived’ Documentary
(15:33s)

Partnerships

Matina is honoured to be a Brand Ambassador for TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES (TFS) who have supported millions of Australians in financing and protecting their vehicles.

Matina and TFS are aligned in their passion and duty for serving the communities they work and live in.

As a UN Peacekeeper in the Middle East, Matina patrolled ‘The Blue Line’ for many months in her TOYOTA LANDCRUISER PRADO.

And Matina is just as appreciative of the safety and comfort of TOYOTA LANDCRUISER PRADO doing the school drop-off and pick-ups today.

With aligned values of respect, passion, quality, innovation, and collaboration, Matina Jewell is proud to be associated with the HOGO BOSS brand.

With sustainability and success inextricably linked, HUGO BOSS has long been Matina’s first choice as the most accessible, fashionable and innovative wardrobe. “HUGO BOSS offers high quality and comfort every time – whether I’m heading to a keynote speech from a long haul flight, or to a coffee meeting from school pick up”.

Quality, innovation, and responsibility form the foundation of HUGO BOSS sustainability strategy, and focus efforts on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Awards

AFR 100 Women of Influence Awards
Finalist 2018

AFR 100 Women of Influence Awards Finalist 2018

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) 100 Women of Influence Awards identifies Australian women championing change in business and society, and those who have dedicated their time and energy to help and encourage other women fighting for change every day.

Professional Speakers Australia
Certified Speaking Professional 2017

Professional Speakers Australia Certified Speaking Professional 2017

Matina was awarded Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) accreditation by the Professional Speakers Association Australia in 2017, being recognised internationally as a professional speaker of the highest standard.

Telstra Business Women’s Awards
Finalist 2016

Telstra Business Women’s Awards Finalist 2016

The Telstra Business Women’s Awards recognises outstanding women and celebrates those doing business differently, redefining the conversation on female leadership at all levels of business.

CPA Australia ‘Top 10 Smart Thinker’
who shaped 2015

CPA Australia 'Top 10 Thinker' 2015

CPA Australia, one of the world's largest accounting bodies, featured Matina Jewell as one of the 'Top 10 smart thinkers who shaped 2015'.

Honorary roles

Project Thankful
Ambassador

Project Thankful Founding Ambassador

Matina is a founding ambassador for Project Thankful, a movement to encourage all of us to reflect on how the everyday can be extraordinary. Thankful® is partnered with the United Nations for the empowerment and cessation of violence against women and children, globally.

Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project Ambassador

The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project was established to raise funds to construct the memorial honouring the service, courage and sacrifice of Australian peacekeepers in the service of international peace and security. The memorial opened in Canberra on 14th September 2017, the 70th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in UN Peacekeeping Missions.

ANZAC Centenary
Commissioner

ANZAC Spirit - ANZAC Centenary Commissioner

Matina provided advice to the Prime Minister and Government as one of the six-member ANZAC Centenary Commission, which included former Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and the late Malcolm Fraser, on how to best commemorate arguably one of the most important milestones in our young Nation's history - The ANZAC Centenary from 2014 to 2018.

AWM Redevelopment
'In Their Words' Contributor

AWM Redevelopment 'In Their Words' Contributor

At the request of Australian War Memorial Director Dr Brendon Nelson, Matina was honoured to share her story on a 32m x 6m screen in The Great Hall of Parliament House as part of the greater effort to secure the $0.5B funding needed by the AWM to help share the stories of 70,000 service men and women on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations over the last 20+ years.

Recent Activity

Matina Jewell @MatinaJewell·

12 Oct

This week I will be back in Canberra for the opening of the Australian War Memorial’s special exhibition ‘The Courage for Peace’. This exhibition honours those Australians who work tirelessly to avert tragedy and… https://t.co/8BkTmTQMC5

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Retweet on Twitter Matina Jewell Retweeted

Aust War Memorial@AWMemorial·

12 Oct

#OnThisDay in 1917 Captain Clarence Jeffries is awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Passchendaele. When his senior officer was killed, Jeffries took command and led a party to attack the gun’s position. In the hail of bullets that followed, he was mortally wounded.

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Matina Jewell @MatinaJewell·

11 Oct

I have had a HUGE week. I have signed and posted heaps of books, thank you to everyone who has purchased a book, I hope you enjoy it!
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I am working on a few exciting projects and collaborations behind the… https://t.co/jK861QiKJU

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Matina Jewell @MatinaJewell·

9 Oct

On Sunday, my husband Clent and I took our 2 girls on a spontaneous School Holiday road trip to Tumbulgum. While we were there I bumped into someone that I have worked alongside for years, I follow on social media… https://t.co/gAz5oHygV1

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Matina Jewell @MatinaJewell·

7 Oct

When I graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1997, I could never have imagined the operations I would become involved in, both in the Solomon Islands and the North Arabian Gulf.
Or that, nine years… https://t.co/66aw9OmozY

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